Improvement in manufacture of aluminium



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES S. HOWARD, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO FRANK G.BATES, OF SAME PLACE; SAID BATES ASSIGNOR OF TWO- THIRDS OF HIS RIGHT TOTHOMAS CUNNINGHAM, LUCIAN BROWN, GEORGE BROWN, HORATIO B. LINCOLN, FRANKP. PENDLETON, AND HERMAN G. CUNNINGHAM, TRADING AS JAMES SMITH 817 CO.,ALSO OF SAME PLACE-ONE-NINTH TO EACH.

IMPROVEMENT I N MANUFACTURE OF ALUMINIUM.

Specificationforming part of Letters Patent No. 220, [48, datedSeptember 30, 1879; application filed April 1, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES SPooNER How- ARD, of Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, have in- "ented a new and useful Improvement in theProduction of Aluminium, of which the follow ing is a specification.

My invention consists in economically manufacturing aluminiumbysubjecting a mixture of alum, carbonate of soda or equivalent al kali,charcoal or pulverized coal, and common salt to heat in a crucible orfurnace, as described hereinafter. a

In carrying out my invention, I dissolve alum in hot water and mix withthe solution carbonate of soda. This mixture, after the water has beenevaporated, constitutes the main ingredient in manufacturing aluminium.I mix the preparation of alum and soda with pulverized charcoal andcommon salt in proportions which may be varied to some extent.

I may remark, however, that good results have been obtained by combiningthree ounces of salt and one of charcoal with every pound of the abovepreparation. I place this mixture in a crucible and the latter inafurnace, which should be maintained" at about the temperature requiredto melt copper. Care should be taken to close the crucible with anappropriate cover, to prevent, as far as possible, the escape of thegases.

The time occupied in the production of the aluminium by this processvaries considerably. Sometimes I have produced it after the crucible hasbeen in the furnace for fifteen minutes. At other times it has requiredtwenty -five minutes, and at others a much longer time.

In order to determine when the product has been completed, I slightlyraise the cover of the crucible from time to time, and if I find thatthe gases evolved have a bluish tint the crucible may be removed fromthe furnace and the contents of the crucible poured out, among thesecontents being the aluminium.

Pulverized coal may be used in place otcharcoal but I have succcededbestwith the latter.

I claim as my invention- The mode described of manufacturing aluminium,the said mode consisting in subjecting a mixture of alum and carbonateof soda, or equivalent alkali, combined with charcoal and salt, to heatin a crucible or furnace, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES SPOONER HOWARD.

Witnesses:

HENRY Howson, J12, HARRY SMITH.

